Plymouth City Centre Company appoints new Chief Executive

Steve Hughes will join the company at the beginning of August fresh from leading the Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District to an overwhelming “yes” vote to carry on its work for another five years.

During his time in Bournemouth Steve was instrumental in creating a new vision and five year business plan for the BID, developing a year round programme of events to drive footfall and working with partners on the town’s ambitious Christmas programme of activities.

During Steve’s time in charge, footfall in Bournemouth Town Centre increased by 12%, compared with a UK High Street average of -1.1%.

Steve, who lives in Cornwall, has a wealth of business experience, mostly in the media and communications industry where he has worked as an editor and managing director.

But Steve is also passionate about business development and the potential of BID companies to act as a catalyst for trading improvement in town and city centres. Before running the Bournemouth BID, Steve led a project in York to set up one of the UK’s biggest BIDS with almost 1,000 businesses.

Steve said: “I am delighted to be coming to Plymouth at such an exciting time. I have seen the investment that has taken place recently and what’s in the pipeline including, of course, the Mayflower 400 anniversary. Clearly the city has great potential and I am impressed with the ambition.

“I look forward to working with the City Centre Company Board and partners on the vision for Plymouth to be one of the UK’s top destinations and to place the city centre as the south west region’s prime retail location.”

On behalf of the Board of the Plymouth City Centre Company Ltd, Chair Douglas Fletcher said: “We are delighted to welcome Steve Hughes to Plymouth. After an extensive recruitment process, using experienced recruitment consultants, we are very pleased to have such an experienced and quality professional person joining our team as Chief Executive.  Steve arrives at an important time for Plymouth City Centre with investments and many initiatives about to commence to enhance the city centre and retain its position as the major shopping destination for the South West. His experience in the media industry and with the BIDs in York and Bournemouth will assist us greatly towards obtaining a continuation of the City Centre BID in 2020.”